The End of Travelers Rest Plantation

The Ouachita Citizen, Friday, October 4, 1946, Page 1 TRAVELERS REST MANOR IS RAZED Mrs. McGuire Will Build Modern Home at Site of Landmark "Travelers Rest," the ancient home of the McGuires and one of the oldest man-made landmarks in North Louisiana, has been completely razed to make way for a new and modern home, … Continue reading The End of Travelers Rest Plantation →

West Monroe Landmark Torn Down

Ouachita Citizen, May 26, 1933, Page 1 CITY'S LARGEST BUILDING RAZED: ONE-TIME GATHERING PLACE FOR STOCKMEN NOW ONLY A MEMORY Big Structure, Its Usefulness Ended By the Universal Acceptance of the Motor Car, and Damaged By Elements and Age, is Salvaged for Building Material Another old landmark is gone from West Monroe. For years it … Continue reading West Monroe Landmark Torn Down →

1971 Burning of Crosley Elementary

On June 9, 1971, fire broke out in the copy room of Crosley Elementary School, located at 700 Natchitoches Street. Due to the interior being of wood, the fire quickly spread. Three different fire departments were called in. Before it was over, three firefighters were hurt (one seriously) and the roof and entire second floor … Continue reading 1971 Burning of Crosley Elementary →

The Life of Ike Hamilton: From Rodeo Clown to Famous Auctioneer

This is a wonderful interview with Ike Hamilton, whom the West Monroe arena is named for. https://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/DeltaHamilton.html

St. Paschal’s School – 1945

These final photos show the Catholic school which was a part of the church. I believe this school was the first Catholic school in West Monroe.

St. Paschal’s Catholic Church, West Monroe

At one of my favorite antique shops in West Monroe last week, I found a little pamphlet from 1945 detailing the history of West Monroe's first Catholic church, St. Paschal's. There are some lovely photos in it of the church and school I will share in the next couple of posts.

German Prisoner of War Camp in West Monroe

Did you know that during World War II, there was a prisoner of war camp in Ouachita Parish? It sat where the West Monroe Convention Center is now. The facility housed around 200 of Erwin Rommel's Africa Korp that had been captured by American forces. The men were sent to work on local cotton farms … Continue reading German Prisoner of War Camp in West Monroe →

Ronald McDonald Kidnapped in 1979

Does anyone remember this prank pulled in early December of 1979? Someone removed the statue of Ronald McDonald from the local McDonalds and somehow placed him on top of the entrance to the McMillan Mall!

When was the White’s Ferry Road Bridge Opened?

Last month, a patron came in and asked when the bridge was built over D'Arbonne bayou at White's Ferry. I must admit, I was caught flat-footed. I had never been asked about it in my almost 30 year career and never thought about it to be honest. Newspapers.com to the rescue! Back in 1935, the … Continue reading When was the White’s Ferry Road Bridge Opened? →

Why West Monroe is not Trenton.

Interesting twist on the reason behind the name! Ouachita Citizen, March 21, 1941, Page 1 West Monroe's Post Office Difficulties Began Back in 1883 When Cottonport as Town Name Was Vetoed By Department Why proponents of a change in name for West Monroe selected the name Trenton instead of the name Cottonport was told to … Continue reading Why West Monroe is not Trenton. →